25 Milestones that your 13-Month-Old should Achieve this Month
- kaylieestrada2405
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Baby is officially a toddler! Here's what to expect this month.
At 13 months, your baby is starting to act more like a toddler! They’re doing more on their own, figuring things out through trial and error, and becoming more expressive in the way they move and communicate. You might see them take a more steps at a time, point at something they want, or copy things you do in your daily routine. These little moments continue to add up more and more as the months go by.
This month, your child is working on 25 new milestones across six areas: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive Development, Social-Emotional Development, Sensory Processing, and Communication. These skills are building the foundation for walking more confidently, talking more clearly, and connecting more meaningfully. Here is what to expect from your growing baby this month!
Is your baby up to the challenge?
By now, your toddler’s brain and body are working in sync more than ever. They've spent the first year building strong connections in the brain, and now those connections are helping them build new skills such as moving more smoothly, following basic directions, or even expressing their preferences. Researchers say this stage is all about learning through action and imitation, and you’ll likely see your child copy more of what you do, respond more intentionally, and want to be part of everyday routines. [1]
Why this month matters?
At 13 months, your child is starting to explore how to be more independent, but they’re also becoming more socially aware. They’re learning how to express their likes and dislikes, how to get your attention, and how to try more things on their own. Whether it’s pointing to a toy, or watching other kids play, your child is picking up on what’s happening around them and responding in more thoughtful ways. These milestones show growth not just in physical ability, but also in memory, language, and emotional connection. [2]
What are this month's milestones?
This month, you might notice your toddler taking a couple of steps without holding onto anything, or even crawling up a full flight of stairs like it’s no big deal. These moments often happen quickly and might look a little clumsy, but they’re a huge part in building confidence and coordination. Your baby will be learning how to shift their weight and improve their balance, which will in turn allow them to get even better at standing, and walking. Once they realize they can do it, they'll want to try again and again.
Your baby's hands are continuing to stay busy. You might see them holding a board book upright in their lap, and even flipping through the pages (sometimes a few at a time). They might even be able to start stacking blocks with your help, which is a great sign or intentionality and creativity. They’ll clap to music, bang toys together, and explore how doing different things makes a variety of different sounds. Their fine motor skills really shine when they start to use their thumb and index finger to pick up small bits of food or tiny objects. Pointing should be becoming more frequent too. They’re using it not just to show you something, but to ask for it too.
Mentally, they’re starting to notice differences in how things look and work. They may recognize that one cup is smaller than another or watch closely as you pour water from one container to the next. You’ll also see more imitation; things like pretending to brush their hair after watching you do it, or trying to "help" with everyday tasks. They’re becoming more responsive to basic directions like “stop” or “come here,” which shows their understanding is continuously growing.
Socially and emotionally, your toddler is showing a stronger interest in people. They may sit nearby and watch older kids play, try to get you involved in a game by handing you a toy, or light up when someone familiar walks in the room. They’re beginning to show preferences too! This might include things like seeking out certain toys or enjoying the same songs or books over and over. You might also notice that they are showing more affection. They might give you a spontaneous hug or lean in to be close to you.
On the sensory side, your child is more aware of how things feel, sound, and move. A wet diaper might bother them more now, or they may react more strongly to things like cold wind or sticky textures. They’re being much more attentive to their surroundings. They might follow people with their eyes from across the room, or move closer to a sound in order to investigate. Sensory exploration is helping them understand the world and feel more in control of their environment.
And then there’s communication, which is really taking off. At this age, it’s common to hear two to six words beyond “mama” and “dada,” especially ones they hear often like “ball,” “dog,” or “up.” They might say “uh-oh” when something falls or imitate animal sounds, like a “moo” or “woof,”. You’ll see them copy gestures such as waving, clapping, or pointing; and they'll use their body to show what they want. They’re not just babbling randomly anymore; they’re experimenting with pitch and rhythm, trying to match the sounds they hear from you.
Work Cited:
Gopnik, A., Meltzoff, A., & Kuhl, P. The Scientist in the Crib
CDC, Developmental Milestones
Harvard Center on the Developing Child – Early Brain Development
How many of this month's milestones has your baby mastered?
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